UCLA remains Big Ten's last unbeaten team after 17-7 win
18 sourcesUpdated Oct 18, 20261 min read
No. 12 UCLA defeated Wisconsin 17-7 at the Rose Bowl on Oct. 17, 2026, improving to 6-0 and 4-0 in the Big Ten as the conference's last unbeaten team. In his first career start, Ty Dieffenbach threw for 264 yards with one interception and one sack; sources listed either 22 or 23 completions on 33 attempts. Wayne Knight scored a 1-yard touchdown set up by a 21-yard pass to Jalen Saint Paul, and Anthony Woods scored a 3-yard touchdown. UCLA converted 13 of 20 third downs and held Wisconsin to 214 total yards and 66 passing yards. Bob Chesney called it a battle, credited Wisconsin with taming UCLA's run game, and praised Dieffenbach's confidence, third-down throws, pre-snap thought process, and mental game as a reassuring day, calling him a warrior. Landon Ellis said coaches installed a play that week targeting a Wisconsin defensive weak spot. Dieffenbach recalled sitting in the Rose Bowl stands with his brother five years earlier; when California Love played and fans raised four fingers, the moment was special to him. Attendance was 36,045.
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Dieffenbach stepped up well with 264 passing yards to keep the Bruins at 6-0.
UCLA's defense did a great job limiting Wisconsin to 214 yards total in that matchup.
